Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has inaugurated her 12th Substantive Vice-Chancellor,  

Prof. Bamire, in his acceptance speech, decried the inadequate funding of the universities nationwide but pledged to build all-round management team for the development of the university.

The new Vice-Chancellor, who commended his co-contestants for the spirit of sportsmanship, enjoined them to work amicably with him in his five years tenure in an effort to bring development to the citadel of learning.

He also promised to improve the quality of education as well as research activities in order to bring in the needed development in the institution, showering encomium on the immediate Vice-Chancellor for the remarkable development in all ramifications.

“I will sustain existing developmental efforts of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eyitayo Ogunbodede by partnering with relevant stakeholders for further infrastructural development in the institution.”

Also in his remarks the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eyitayo Ogunbodede, who handed over to Professor Bamire appreciated the Ife community, urging the University and Ile Ife community to live in peace and maintain their age-long cordiality.  

Professor Ogunbodede pleaded for more support from the University stakeholders for his successor so that OAU could attain much greater heights and be one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Africa.

Similarly, the Pro-Chancellor, Owelle Oscar Udoji congratulated the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede for his numerous achievements in advancing the University, especially in the area of infrastructure development and other ways he ensured the rising pedigree of the University in the last five years.

He said it was noteworthy that the last regime had set a benchmark for successive Vice-Chancellors, saying the progress the University recorded in the last five years had ensured that it remained a unique institution, one of the best in research and in ICT, sought after by reputable international bodies and institutions. 

The pro-chancellor stressed that in spite of myriads of challenges facing knowledge factories in the nation, OAU with its tenacious tradition has continued to thrive and blossom.

“Gold standards of practice which has remained the enduring legacy bequeathed upon it by its forefathers has ensured that the University retains the status of a quintessential Ivory Tower while blazing the trail of excellence and exhibiting untainted scholarship in the process of generating and disseminating knowledge, thus making the University stand tall amongst its peers nationally and on the global stage. “

According to him “The challenges facing the University are multifaceted Although, these are not peculiar to our University, a few of them tend to get worse and have over the years degenerated into an alarming proportion. One is the prevalent management, and union crises. Without gainsaying, one should commend the successful effort of the immediate past administration to stem the tide in this area.”

He noted that to overcome some of these challenges, all stakeholders should be mobilized in building a viable 21st-century university. 

“Running a University is capital intensive. Inflationary trends and the attendant dwindling subvention have challenged universities in Nigeria in recent times. Our Alumni, friends, philanthropists, and other admirers should be involved in the charitable task of maintaining a world-class status and buying into our vision.”

The pro-chancellor, however, added that  “the University will only be able to sustain its enviable tradition when we all are ready to work together regardless of our differences. This University is our legacy, and we should be ready to make sacrifices to ensure that it remains the pride of past and future generations.”

Adenitan Akinola

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